Energy Choice
                            

Matters

Consumer Counsel Joins Retail Suppliers in Requesting Re-opening Docket on Retail Supplier Marketing Standards, Sales Practices

March 12, 2015

Email This Story
Copyright 2010-15 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Karen Abbott • kabbott@energychoicematters.com

The Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel joined several retail suppliers in asking the Connecticut PURA to re-open Docket 14-07-20, relating to new marketing standards for electric suppliers and a new disclosure statement required for advertisements.

PURA in February adopted a final decision concerning abusive switching practices, solicitations and renewals, hiring and training of sales representatives, door-to-door sales, telemarketing practices and customer service and disclosure statements. Click here for our story on the final order

OCC and the suppliers noted that PURA was subject to a statutory deadline in issuing its decision. Additionally, OCC and the suppliers informed PURA that OCC and suppliers have formed a working group to discuss the issues that have been highlighted across various dockets governing supplier sales and marketing practices.

"The Working Group has resolved successfully some of the concerns of PURA, the legislature and OCC have with respect to specifically implementing and modifying electric supplier practices to most benefit consumers and that are practical and efficient within an electric suppliers’ business framework. The Working Group continues in its efforts to resolve outstanding concerns. Unlike the Authority, which was facing a tight statutory deadline in this proceeding, the Working Group has had the opportunity to comprehensively study and discuss the issues related to among other things, marketing and sales practices of Connecticut electric suppliers," OCC and the suppliers said.

OCC and the suppliers asked that the proceeding be re-opened to consider the evidence and information the working group has compiled with respect to marketing standards and sales practices for Connecticut electric suppliers.

OCC and suppliers further asked that the Authority stay the terms of its final decision while the Working Group’s negotiations continue and consider a new proposed decision to be issued after further development of the record.

OCC and the suppliers said that they intend to present the Authority, "with evidence of solid resolutions for marketing and sales practices issues that both materially affects the merits of the case and that will provide a basis for findings of fact and legal analysis for the Authority’s promulgation of revised 'Electric Supplier Standards' as outlined in Attachment 2 of the Final Decision."

"The interests of administrative efficiency would be served by reopening this docket in that, without a reopening that stays the implementation of the Final Decision, certain parties to the docket will likely conclude it necessary to file an administrative appeal," OCC and the suppliers said

Suppliers joining OCC in the request included Choice Energy, LLC, Direct Energy Services, LLC, Liberty Power Holdings, LLC, North American Power and Gas, LLC, Starion Energy, Inc., Town Square Energy, LLC and Verde Energy USA, Inc.

ADVERTISEMENT
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
• NEW! -- Electricity Analyst -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Natural Gas Pipeline Scheduler -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Business Development - Energy Advisor -- Houston
• NEW! -- Billing & Transaction Analyst -- Houston
• NEW! -- Associate Counsel, Regulatory Affairs -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Marketing Director -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Energy Supply Trader - Retail Supplier -- Houston
• NEW! -- Sales Director -- Retail Supplier -- New York
• NEW! -- Sr. Pricing Analyst -- Retail Supplier -- Houston
• NEW! -- Business Development Manager – Broker Sales -- Retail Supplier -- DFW
• NEW! -- Senior Business Development Manager -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Senior Risk Management Energy Analyst -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Energy Services Account Manager -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Energy Consultant/Sales -- New York
• NEW! -- Director, Account Management
• NEW! -- Director of Business Development -- Houston
• NEW! -- PJM Pricing Manager/Director -- Retail Supplier -- Houston